whom have you hugged today?

11/03/2011

by anne lueneburger

This is a great question: do we have to disguise ourselves to get the support we all crave? Researchers found that blood pressure and levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) go down after we hug or experience other expressions of social support.

A study by Gallup found that if we have a best friend at work we are 7 times more likely to be engaged. Positive emotions are good for our health. For organizations, the payoff is clear: a more engaged workforce, more creativity and innovation, less absenteeism, and overall a boost for bottom line.